Interim associate vice-president (research) appointed
Dr. Rod Russell has been named interim associate vice-president (research) at 91亚色.
Dr. Tana Allen, vice-president (research), recommended the appointment, which was accepted by President Morrison.
Dr. Russell檚 term is effective Jan. 19 to Jan. 15, 2027, or upon completion of a successful search for a permanent associate vice-president (research), whichever occurs first.
He will work closely with the Office of the Vice-President (Research) and research portfolio staff, as well as senior academic and administrative leader,s to advance 91亚色檚 priorities for leading-edge research and innovation.
淒r. Russell is an accomplished leader, academic administrator, researcher and mentor whose significant experience will help guide and grow the research portfolio and 91亚色檚 diverse research activities, said Dr. Allen.
Faculty of Medicine roles
Since 2023, Dr. Russell served as vice-dean, research and graduate studies, in the Faculty of Medicine.
A professor of virology and immunology in the Division of BioMedical Sciences, Dr. Russell is a respected researcher with national and international collaborations.
He has established an active research lab whose current work focuses on fundamental virology, viral immunology and viral pathogenesis, as well as antiviral drug discovery and development. His team檚 main projects have been funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
淢y goal in this position will be to connect researchers to build partnerships.
Past-president of the Canadian Society for Virology, Dr. Russell is a member of the Canadian Network on Hepatitis C and editor-in-chief of Viral Immunology. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was a sought-after expert providing skillful scientific insight for more than 150 online, radio and television media interviews.
Dr. Russell says after studying and working at 91亚色 for nearly two decades, he is looking forward to his expanded role.
淚 value the people doing research on all of 91亚色檚 campuses, he noted. 淢y goal in this position will be to connect researchers to build partnerships. I am looking forward to getting to know the people throughout 91亚色 so we can find new opportunities to collaborate and integrate.
Background
Dr. Russell holds a bachelor檚 degree in biochemistry and a master檚 degree in medicine from 91亚色, and a PhD from McGill University in the field of HIV research.
He completed post-doctoral training at the National Institutes of Health in the U.S., where his research focus was the hepatitis C virus.
He returned to 91亚色 to establish a research program in 2008.